Mwatasi-Trinity,Stillwtr., CVP Report for Sept 15, 2011

2008 CVP
CompanionVillage Project
6th Visit Year Three
September 15, 2011
Village Mwatasi
Pastor Lucas Kadinda
Companion Trinity, Stillwater
Attendees 8
Weather for the past month Dry
Reporters Gabriel & Rev. Mang’ulisa
Purposes of the visit
• To collect the yield measurement
• To deliver grain storage chemical “Shumba”
• End of season discussion and planning for the next farming season

Topics
1. Review of the handouts
• 6th Visit instruction handout
• Yield recording sheet
2. Harvesting
Both corn and beans have been harvested. The yield this year has been lower than those of the last year, spacing were wider than recommended and the area experience drought this year
Crop Corn Beans
Yield per ½ acres 3 bags 1 bag 2 tins
3. Storage
We instructed them on how to store grain for home usage and for selling at the time of high price. We instructed how to mix grain storage pesticides “shumba” and the appropriate volume of grain per bottle recommended. We left the pesticides to them to mix with their harvested grains.
4. Discussion about the farming season
The corn plot was good however after maturity ears started to rot. There has been severe rotting problem. We are planning to change the variety next planting season. Beans performed well. The plots are in the steep slopes. We told them to make terraces in every after 10m. The terraces will reduce soil erosion and hence improve the fertility of the land.
5. Adaptation
5 attendees said they have been practicing some of the techniques we have been teaching then. They could not give the feedback of their farms because they have not yet harvested.

Comments/questions
 Although fertilizers were applied, the yields some of the plants were very think, some were yellowish and in some part of the farm the yields were not good
Since the plots are in the steep slopes, there is possibility that fertilizers applied had been eroded down to the slope. There should be terraces in every after 10m that will reduce soil erosion of the farm
 There is a problem with the finance of the agricultural activities in the village. We advised them to establish saving and credits cooperatives that will help them in agricultural finance.

Conclusion
We thank them for the good job they are doing. We told them that we will look for other corn varieties or other ways that might reduce the rotting problem.